Archive: News

TCAT has joined transit agencies across the state to protest a last-minute amendment to the U.S. House of Representatives'  long-term highway bill, approved late Wed., Nov. 4, that would gut about millions of dollars in in much needed federal funding to New York State's transit systems over the next six years.

Under the amendment, which was approved by a voice vote, the 5340 High Density States Program would be eliminated and adversely impact transit agencies all across New York State as well as those in six other states and the District of Columbia. TCAT would lose more than $200,000 a year or $1.2 million over six years in federal funding at a time when the agency is financially struggling to keep up with demand. New York State transit agencies combined will lose about $95 million a year or a total of $570 million over the next six years.

The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee discussed two alternatives regarding leadership of the County Mental Health Department.

One approach, presented for discussion by County Administrator Joe Mareane, would authorize a plan to expand the responsibilities of the Public Health Director to include management of the department, making other necessary change to facilitate that plan.  The proposal would extend for another four years the current shared leadership of the Health and Mental Health Departments, as has been done by Public Health Director Frank Kruppa on an interim basis for the past eight months, with full evaluation of the approach to be conducted in the fourth year.

Legislature Approves Pursuit of  Funding for Law Enforcement Consolidation Study
The Tompkins County Legislature, by a vote of 10-2 (Legislators Mike Sigler and Dooley Kiefer voted no), authorized the County,  jointly with the City of Ithaca, to pursue a State-funded study to examine the potential feasibility of consolidation of City and County law enforcement agencies.  The action, which has also been approved by the City of Ithaca Common Council, authorizes the two governments to jointly apply for funding to support the study, and to develop a request for proposals to seek expert consultant to assist with the study.

The measure notes that, "as a result of years of cooperation and previous successful consolidation efforts, the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County are especially well positioned to achieve efficiencies through the consolidation of further shared services between the City of Ithaca Police Department and the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office," and that the State has encouraged consolidation and shared services, and has established various grant funds, including a $150 million allocation Governor's Municipal Restructuring Fund in this year's State budget, to support such efforts.
 

Tom Reed discussed his work with local officials to ensure the Southern Tier and Western New York receives its fair share of funding for local roads and bridges within the federal highway bill.

"I've heard from local officials across our region from Highway Superintendents to State Senators, and the message is clear: Western New York and the Southern Tier must receive its fair share of highway funding through the federal government," said Reed. "This kind of local investment helps keep the public safe, creates quality, family-sustaining jobs right here at home and protects the local taxpayers."

Should Lansing hire a full time planner or a part time planning consultant?  This has been one of the most contentious issues between Town Board members for over three years.  When the board was composed of three Democrats and two Republicans it voted 3-2 to fund a full time planner in the 2014 budget.  But the tables turned.  After a search that included final interviews of qualified candidates, the the new board, made up of three Republicans and two Democrats , voted 3-2 against hiring the top one.  At that point Councilmaen Ed LaVigne (who was elected Supervisor last week) and Robert Cree took on the task of finding a part time planning consultant that eventually resulted in the hiring of Michael Long.

A lot of claims were bandied about on both sides.  Supervisor Kathy Miller and Councilwoman Ruth Hopkins favored a full time planner, and talked about overall savings when you consider the extra costs associated with additional attorney and engineering fees that would be required becase a part time planner would not have time to do some of the tasks the additional consultants currently take on.  LaVigne, Cree and Councilman Doug Dake cited various reasons for hiring an independent consultant, claiming the savings in salary and not having to pay benefits would be better for taxpayers.  This argument carried over into last month's campaign, with LaVigne saying that hiring a part time consultant saved the town $50,000.  In all this time nobody checked the numbers.  A few weeks before election day Hopkins decided to figure out which would actually cost taxpayers less.

"I didn't expect to hear the conclusion that we had saved $50,000," she says.  "When I started hearing that I said 'Where are the numbers?'  I didn't see any evidence, so I went to work."

In recognition of his continued support of the agriculture industry, New York State Senator Michael Nozzolio has been honored by the New York Farm Bureau with its annual "Circle of Friends" award.

"It is an honor to receive this recognition and I commend the New York Farm Bureau for their continued advocacy for issues important to our local farm industry, the single largest job producing enterprise in New York State," said Nozzolio. "Agriculture is the backbone of our local economy and as the State Senator representing one of the largest agricultural districts in New York, I will continue to be a strong advocate for farmers."

Ed LaVigne (R) defeated Kathy Miller (D) 1,231 to 1082 Tuesday to become Lansing's next Supervisor when Miller's term ends at the end of this year.  LaVigne won the position in a hotly contested campaign after defeating Chris Williams (R) in the primary election.  Even though Katrina Binkewicz (D) and Andra Benson (D) won the two Town Council seats, the Republicans will keep their majority on the Board next year with LaVigne as Supervisor and sitting Councilmen Robert Cree (R) and Doug Dake (R).  Almost 35% of Lansing's 6,768 registered voters turned out on Tuesday.

Binkewicz got the most votes of candidates for Town Board with 1246.  Benson got the second highest number of votes, at 1187.  They will fill the two open board seats being vacated by LaVigne and Ruth Hopkins (D).  Connie Wilcox (R) received the third highest number of votes at 1140, followed by Rick Hayes (R), who had 1090.  This vote count is the 'unofficial result' reported Tuesday before absentee ballots are counted.

New York State Senator Michael Nozzolio announced $1 million in state funding to assist new farmers and New York State's growing agriculture industry. Last year, the successful New York State New Farmers Grant Fund awarded $610,000 to 19 farms across the state.

"Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, not only in the Finger Lakes but statewide. Virtually every business, family and individual in our region directly or indirectly depends on agriculture, the single largest job producing enterprise in New York State," said Senator Mike Nozzolio.

Tom Reed announced the House will take up a proposal to ensure local roads and bridges are repaired and maintained through 2021. "I care about investing in our roads and bridges because it brings quality, family-sustaining jobs to our region both today and in the future. This proposal makes it easier for our local governments to keep our roads and bridges in good shape and ultimately helps boost the economy as a whole," said Reed.

The bill would create a spending plan for three years, where the revenue is currently designated to each project fund. The bill also establishes a framework for an additional three years of spending but would require more legislative action to ensure projects are fully funded.

Tompkins County government has achieved recognition by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Green Power Partner.  The designation recognizes the County's efforts to reduce the risk of climate change through the use of green power.

The County is recognized for its offset of 100% of its electrical energy use through purchase of Green-e-certified wind power-based Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), and also for its generation of more than 84,000 kilowatt hours per year of green electricity, through the 147 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed 15 years ago on the roof of the County Library.

The Lansing Town board approved the $4,917,298.65 2016 town budget Wednesday.  The Board also approved a $1,332,573.32 budget for special districts in the Town.  $1,833,158.68  of the town budget will be collected in property taxes and PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) money.  Town officials estimate that the tax rate will rise 3.95%.

$284,000 of the budget will come from the Town's unexpended fund balance, with the remaining $2,800,139.97 coming from revenue other than property taxes.  That revenue comes from a number of sources, including fees for programs and permits.  Some Highway Department funding comes from state road improvement dollars, and much of the Highway Department budget (outside the Village) comes from sales taxes.

Village of Lansing officials again expressed dissatisfaction with town taxes and services they say villagers pay for but do not receive.  Mayor Donald Hartill told the Trustees that he has tried to negotiate with town officials about reducing taxes for villagers, but said he feels he has not been taken seriously.  Hartill has threatened to secede from the Town many times over the years, but has never made any serious attempt to pursue it.  Monday he said it is time to get serious.

"I've found dealing with the Town very frustrating, to put it bluntly," Hartill said.  "I'm starting to think seriously about it.  I mean we've just blown off this past budget year.  If there's not a serious attempt to realize that the villagers are being treated as a cash cow next year, then I think it's time to be serious.  Unfortunately."